ViacomCBS Drops Nick Cannon Over 'Bigotry'

Says Cannon spread 'hateful speech' on podcast
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 15, 2020 3:34 AM CDT
ViacomCBS Drops Nick Cannon Over 'Bigotry'
In this Dec. 10, 2018, file photo Nick Cannon poses for a portrait in New York.   (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP, File)

Nick Cannon's “hateful speech” and anti-Semitic theories led ViacomCBS to cut ties with the TV host and producer, the media giant said. “ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism," the company said in a statement Tuesday. It is terminating its relationship with Cannon, ViacomCBS said. The company's move was in response to remarks made by Cannon on a podcast in which he and Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin, the former Public Enemy member, discussed racial bias, the AP reports. The podcast reportedly was recorded last year and aired two weeks ago. “We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’ on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,” ViacomCBS said.

“While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him,” the company said. Cannon produced Wild’n Out, a comedy improv series for VH1, a ViacomCBS-owned cable channel. He's been a regular part of TV shows unconnected to the company, including as the former host of NBC's America's Got Talent and host of Fox's The Masked Singer. As controversy over his podcast began to bubble up Monday, Cannon replied in a Facebook post. “I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric ... The Black and Jewish communities have both faced enormous hatred, oppression persecution and prejudice for thousands of years and in many ways have and will continue to work together to overcome these obstacles."

(More Nick Cannon stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X